Marilyn Mae Ryan

Marilyn Mae Ryan (Marckel) of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully on 24 August 2024 at the age of 90 years. She was born on 20 October 1933 in Defiance, Ohio, the third of four children to Florence (Smolenske) and Arnold Marckel. Her parents worked as tenant farmers during the Depression, and, since they had food, welcomed a host of extended family members who were going through hard times. Mom excelled in school, especially math, and graduated from Defiance High School in 1951. 

 She and John Patrick Ryan first met at Defiance High, and began dating months after he started hanging around the farm. Certain he was there to visit her brother Freddie, she avoided the boys, leading to some frustration on John’s part until he revealed he’d been driving out to see her the whole time. Years passed until she prompted their engagement by asking if it was time for her to “begin taking instruction” in Catholicism. They married on 30 May 1957 at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Defiance, Ohio. 

 They moved often during the early years as he pursued higher education, and ultimately settled in Indianapolis. Marilyn cared for John and their three children Rebecca, Deborah, and John, kept large vegetable gardens, and built close friendships wherever they lived. She was an avid reader, sometimes finishing a book per week, but always cleaned house first. As such, a person could “eat lunch off” any floor of her home, a standard to which the rest of us can only aspire. 

 She remained active following the sudden death of her husband in July 1987, travelling across the country to visit family and explore new places like the Caribbean, New Mexico, Alaska, and Ireland. She especially enjoyed trips to NYC and Washington, DC with her daughter, Rebecca. 

Her children fondly stated, "It was always Mom that we called for advice. Just as she had been there for Dad, so she was for all of us."

 Complications from a fall led to her transition to Kraft Commons as one of its first residents in 2019. She and her family were grateful, and remain so, for the kindness and excellent care she received throughout her time there. 

 Marilyn was predeceased by her beloved husband, John Patrick Ryan; their first child, Joseph; her parents, Florence and Arnold; Arnold’s second wife, Dorothy; special aunt, Dodo Bates; brother, Freddie Marckel and his first wife Bonnie; sister, Patricia and her husband Fred Dallapé; sister, Joyce Mohr; nephew, Sam Mohr; nephew Jim Mohr’s wife, Evelyn; and niece Michelle’s husband, Rick DeWine; parents-in-law, John and Pauline Ryan; sister-in-law, Tricia and her husband Mel Miller; brother-in-law, Allen and wife Catherine Ryan; and sister-in-law, Sue, her husband John Snyder, and their son, Jack. Marilyn would never forgive her family if they forgot to mention her best canine buddy, Alex. 

She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Ryan and partner, Manon Kersey, of Carmel; daughter, Deborah Ryan and husband, John Wyatt, of Maine; and son, John Ryan and his wife Amber McGlothlin, of Indianapolis; Amber’s daughter, Chelsea McGlothlin Till (John) and her children Jack, Clark, and Bonnie Till; brother-in-law, John Mohr of Florida, brother Freddie's second wife, Lucy Marckel of Florida; many nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren; as well as close friends, Ron and Jeannette Miller of Indianapolis, and Elaine Martin of Indianapolis. 

Visitation was held 11am on Wednesday, 28 August 2024, at Aaron-Ruben-Nelson, 11411 N Michigan Road, Zionsville, IN 46077, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 12noon, with procession to chapel at Washington Park North Cemetery in Indianapolis thereafter for final prayers. She was buried beside her husband, John.